National 9/11 Flag Visits the Empire State Plaza

ALBANY, NY (01/19/2010)(readMedia)-- OGS Commissioner John C. Egan today announced the arrival of the National 9/11 Flag for display in the Legislative Office Building at the Empire State Plaza in Albany from January 19-22, 2010. At the time of the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, the 30 foot American flag hung at a nearby construction site across from ground zero. Images of the torn and tattered flag hanging steadfast in the days after 9/11 were published around the world and came to symbolize America's unity and strength in the face of our enemies.

"This week, the presence of this great American artifact graces the Empire State Plaza. We are proud to host the National 9/11 Flag here, in the capital city of New York State," said Commissioner Egan. "On behalf of Governor Paterson, I join all New Yorkers in remembering and honoring the countless people lost on September 11, 2001, and offer my thank you to the courageous individuals who served in the aftermath of 9/11 and continue to defend this nation against terrorism."

Seven years after September 11, 2001, this extraordinary American flag was stitched back together by tornado survivors from Greensburg, Kansas in a nation-wide community service project led by the New York Says Thank You Foundation. The flag travelled to Albany as one of its stops during a three-year tour that began in 2008 and will be concluding on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

"We're honored to have the National 9/11 Flag hang at the government building complex of the state from which this historic American Flag started its inspiring journey," stated Jeff Parness, founder of the New York Says Thank You Foundation. "We believe that every American should have the opportunity to experience the National 9/11 Flag and witness its patchwork beauty which symbolizes the transformation of tragedy into triumph and embodies the American spirit."

The goal of the National 9/11 Flag Tour is to display the flag at leading venues nationwide as a way to inspire Americans with its rich visual history, and promote national pride, citizenship and volunteerism. Each year on the anniversary of 9/11, the New York Says Thank You Foundation sends volunteers from New York City across the nation to help rebuild communities affected by disasters. The mission of the Foundation is to pay forward the countless acts of love and generosity extended to New Yorkers in the days, weeks and months following 9/11. The Foundation was started with the suggestion of a five-year-old boy from New York City. Additional information on the National 9/11 Flag Tour and the New York Says Thank You Foundation can be found at: www.NewYorkSaysThankYou.org

The National 9/11 Flag Tour, Albany Venue Exhibit Information:

When: January 19-22, 2010

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Place: The Well of the Legislative Office Building

Empire State Plaza

Albany, New York

Public access to the Legislative Office Building is through the Empire State Plaza, North Concourse, or the State Street entrance. Visitors are required to pass through a metal detector security checkpoint.

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